Kaija Saariaho’s first opera, L’Amour de loin, is known to be inspired by another 20th century opera by Oliver Messiaen, St. François d’Assise. Before she saw the production of this opera, production by Peter Sellars, Saariaho never really thought about composing an opera. So what changed her mind? What did she see or hear…
Author: caitlyncollette
Different Musical Approaches to a Similar Message
Kaija Saariaho is a prolific Finnish composer of 21st century music and has made a huge impact with her works. Saariaho’s first opera, L’Amour de loin, premiered at the Salzburg Festival on August 15th, 2000. The plot can easily be understood by the translation of the title, L’Amour de loin, meaning “love from afar.” This…
Emotions through Musical Elements in “Red Alert”
A world premiere of a new opera in October 2005 in San Francisco had a very relatable and touchy story line for audience members. John Adams’ Doctor Atomic has the plot of the making of the world’s first atomic bomb. Even though years had passed since the use of the atomic bomb on Japan, the…
Responsibility of Interpretation in Einstein on the Beach
Philip Glass’s, Einstein on the Beach, strays far from the traditional operas that came previously in multiple ways. Everything that this opera encompasses, changes perspectives on what opera “is” and “should be.” In particular, before the 20th century, many operas had a certain plot, most dealing with love, or similar life drama. This made…
Structured Transformation in Einstein at the Beach and Beyond
Philip Glass, a minimalist composer, broke the rules of traditional opera with his composition, Einstein at the Beach. The opera premiered on July 25, 1976 and is based on Albert Einstein as a “scientist, humanist, and an amateur musician.” At a first listen of Einstein at the Beach, the music seems be random and has…
Sea Music from Debussy to Britten
Sea Music from Debussy to Britten The opera Billy Budd received much criticism after its premier from numerous critics. These critics touched upon many aspects of the opera, such as the characters, the libretto, and the music. One critic from the ‘London Music Critic’ wrote a critique on Britten’s composition for the opera. He…
Musical Character and Captain Vere
Benjamin Britten’s, Billy Budd, is about reminiscing on life in ones later years. In this case, Captain Vere, an old man, is examining the choices he made in his life. These choices seem to come at price of good versus evil. One particular choice he made is shown in ‘I accept their verdict.’ This aria…
Recognizing the True American Identity
Nationalistic music is very common and valuable to countries all around the world. For many, this type of music brings about pride, joy, memories and a sense of belonging. Composers have been writing in the style of their country for many years, establishing particular sounds, rhythms and tonality. In the “New World”, America seemed to…
Perception in the Eyes of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess
Perception in the Eyes of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess In 1935, the release of Gershwin’s first opera brought many surprises to the classical music world. Written in a century of change, this opera would open, or close, the minds and eyes of all those who encountered it. Not only was this opera written in…
Gershwin and 20th Century Change
George Gershwin lived in a century that brought change to the world of classical music. Whether or not this change was accepted, the American composer created new and bold music that would go against the standards set in pervious music eras. One of his works, in particular, with Ira Gershwin and other broadway novices,…
UTEP Graduate Music Seminar in 20th-Century Opera 